Intercolonial

New Zealand Tablet, 8 May 1913, Page 49

Intercolonial

The Very Rev. Father Nicolas, Provincial of the Marist Fathers, left Sydney on April 16 for New Caledonia and the Hebrides. He will be absent for a period of five months.

Adelaide is making great preparations for the celebration of the silver episcopal, jubilee of his Grace Archbishop Reify. The presentation of a testimonial and an address has been decided on. A monument to the memory of the late Hon. J. R. Dacey, Colonial Treasurer of New South Wales, was unveiled at Yarra Bay cemetery, Botany, on Sunday afternoon, April 20, by Mr. J. S. T. McGowen (State Premier). The Very Rev. Dean Butler, who for the past three year had had charge of the Tumut and Adelong parishes, passed away on April 21. The deceased priest labored in the Goulburn diocese for the past • forty years, and was sixty-six years age. Widespread regret was felt in Melbourne at the death on April 22 of Mr. Ronald Stewart, who for 22 years had been employed in the Post Office, latterly m the correspondence branch. He was born in the Warrnambool district 42 years ago. He was a man of very exceptional literary ability, with a wide historical knowledge, and the services he rendered with his pen in the field of Catholic journalism won for him some years ago the Papal decoration, Pro Fcclesid. Some two years back he was stricken with an illness, and was operated on twice, and since before Christmas he had been confined to his room. A few months ago a ' Ronald Stewart Testimonial Fund' was inaugurated by Bishop Phelan, and in round figures £IOOO has been already realised, which will be vested in trustees for the benefit of the widow and eight young children. By the death of Dr. John Joseph Donovan, K.C.S.G., K.C., is removed one of the leading Catholic men of New South Wales. Born in Sydney in 1837, the deceased was educated at St. Mary's Seminary, and afterwards at Lyndhurst College. Proceeding thence to the University, he commenced a most brilliant career as a student, taking in turn the degrees of 8.A., M.A., and LL.D. On being called to the Bar, Dr. Donovan practised- his profession in the Equity jurisdiction, and soon made his way to the front by the qualities which made him famous as a counsel. For the last 17 years he had lived privately, and devoted himself to the cause of charity, assisting largely in the development of the Catholic Church in the Commonwealth. -For his services to the Church he was made a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory, and Pope Leo XIII. bestowed the Cross of Leo upon him. To the many charitable institutions • of the Catholic Church in New. South Wales he was a generous benefactor. The golden jubilee of the Right Rev. Monsignor Beechmor, of Tasmania, occurs this month. The members of his congregation and his friends outside the Church have expressed their desire to mark the occasion by some personal gift, but the Monsignor, while ' highly appreciating the good intentions of the people, has determined not to allow their generosity to be called upon for his personal benefit. The people are, however, anxious to celebrate a double event, the golden jubilees of the Monsignor and his brother, Archdeacon M. J. Beeclnnor, of Latrobe, and it has been decided that, a movement be put on foot in honor of the two eminent clerics, to erect a high school in Launceston, at the suggestion of the Monsignor, and of a church at Devonport, in the Archdeacon's district. In response to invitations issued by Mr. J. V. Sullivan, a large number of residents attended a meeting held recently. The Archbishop was present, and was supported by a great many prominent priests and laymen. A subscription list was opened, and generously supported.